Purchased a Pontoon!! Now, need to accessorize!

[SoCalAngler]

Howdy everyone!

Posted here a couple of times about purchasing a 'toon. Well, I finally did it and purchased a...

2010 Suntracker Fishing Barge 21. It has 2010 Mercury 60hp 4 stroke "Big Foot." 2010 Tandem axle Trailstar trailer. AM/FM stereo with CD. This model has a changing room.
It included a 24V Motorguide wireless TM. Picked her up in Arizona and brought her to So. Cal!!

Now, I want to accessorize! Bass Pro sale starts tomorrow (Spring Fishing Classic), Friday, March 22, 2013 and I have a few dollars to burn!

Bought yesterday at West Marine....(4) 8"X26" Taylor Made fenders and a Mustang Life vest for my 8yo (still need a life vest for myself, my 13yo and one for my wife).

My 13yo weighs 123#. Will he need an adult vest? Hell, my wife weighs 123 too! He's growing, but hopefully she's not!!

I want to add to my 'toon.....

-batt charger
-rod holders
-fender holders
-batt switch (Guest type)
-life vests for adults....suggestions for safety and comfort (fishing comfort!)

and whatever else that will make my 'toon comfortable, convenient, and safe!


Need advice on a few items......

1. Battery charger.....I would like to have one to maintain batts in top condition and always be ready to go. There's a Minn Kota MK-315D on sale. It is a three bank charger (5-5-3) 13 amps. Thoughts on this model? Any advice on a charger?

2. Battery switch...used these on my saltwater boats. Is this soemthing that is usd on toons? I would like to be able to switch to all (combine all 3 batts) in the event that my starting battery goes dead. How would it best be wired?

3. Rod holders....recommendations? The toon has the standard ones (flush mount on live wells) which appear OK, just wondering if there is something better.

4. Fender holders.....There is no where to attach fenders unless you tie to fencing.

Also, where do you store fenders once underway?

5. Life vests.....my 8yo can not use an auto inflate so I purchased him a quality Mustang Lil Legends life vest. Should I go with auto inflates for me, my wife, and 13yo? Or just standard vest types?

What else can you recommend?

Thanks! I am excited about 'tooning and learning more from all the experienced 'tooners around here!

[HandymanHerb]

Pontoonstuff has the holders of the fenders, call them and tell them your on the forum and you get 10 percent off, Forum2013 is our discount code but I have seen a place to put it yet.

http://www.pontoonstuff.com/ez-fender-mounts.aspx

[Bamaman]

1. Battery charger.....If you found a Minn Kota MK-315D on sale, go for it. Anyone that uses the trolling motor very much needs multiple batteries. Built in charges are very nice.

2. Battery switch...Many people use Perko battery switches, and they're just about a $50 item. I'd just follow the directions that come with the switch. If you run into any problems, then chime on here.

3. Rod holders....I don't fish out of my tritoon, and cannot help you.

4. Fender holders....Every boat's different, so you'd just have to find a place that will work on your boat.

5. Life vests....I have 10 of those orange cheapo vests in one locker--to be legal with the authorities. We also have high quality urethane ski vests for the family, including smaller ones for the grandchildren. It's easy to have vests lying all over the boat--instead of keeping everything clean and it their places.

[Texoma Toon]

You can hang the ski vests on the back of the fishing chairs when underway. Easy to get too. We use the ski vests for floating in some back bay with a brewski.
Do you have a throw cushion? Need one to be legal.
A good telescoping boat hook will come in handy.

[evinrude2stroke]

Bimini clips!! If you like to swim and/or have children on board that like to swim these things are great. Clip your towels or clothes to the rail of your Bimini to dry or block the sun. I actually use these alot. When my son was younger I would clip a couple of towels up to block the sun while he napped on the boat.

[Pjaudon]

Tell me more about the Bimini clips...

[evinrude2stroke]

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product ... rchID=4005

I love these things!!

[Gonefishing]

Fishfinder, Porta potty, check out the ez fender for your fender holders. Dock lines for life jacket storage under the seats work great

[curtiscapk]

A good telescoping boat hook will come in handy.

yep!

[mrbigs3toon]

We have a small fire extinguisher
Extra koozies we seem to lose these a lot
Extra sunglasses I have lost these jumping into the lake

[steveiam]

Welcome!
Here is some rod holder pics.
I have since went with all Driftmasters around the boat.
In the pic at the rear of the boat you can see the black stand up rod holders, these are for storing the rods upright when not fishing, they WILL save you some broken rods.

[SoCalAngler]

Welcome!
Here is some rod holder pics.
I have since went with all Driftmasters around the boat.

I like the looks of those Driftmasters.....do they hold the rods as secure as the standard, black plastic tube rod holders that clamp to rails?

Also...where did you get these?

Thanks

[SoCalAngler]

Bimini clips!! If you like to swim and/or have children on board that like to swim these things are great. Clip your towels or clothes to the rail of your Bimini to dry or block the sun. I actually use these alot. When my son was younger I would clip a couple of towels up to block the sun while he napped on the boat.

I'm liking these bimini clips! I hope Bass Pro has them when I visit tomorrow.

[steveiam]

Welcome!
Here is some rod holder pics.
I have since went with all Driftmasters around the boat.

I like the looks of those Driftmasters.....do they hold the rods as secure as the standard, black plastic tube rod holders that clamp to rails?

Also...where did you get these?

Thanks

I think they hold rods more secure myself, I fish for big catfish and they CAN slam a rod.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/search.c ... l+Products

[steveiam]

You may consider LED lights also.
Check your state laws on what color you can use though.
You should be able use any color when you are not underway, but check to find out for sure if this interest you.